Cruz wants to be paid like top receiver, but Mara says there's 'a limit'

New York Post | Feb 2

Victor Cruz thinks his play speaks for itself and that he's danced his way to a big pay day from the Giants.

Cruz, who will become a restricted free agent after the 2013 season, believes that his contract demands accurately reflect his value to the Giants both on and off the field.

Despite Cruz's accomplishments, the Giants do not seem ready to answer the receiver's demands. Owner John Mara said that he wants Cruz back but won't break the bank for the wide out, calling his agent's demands way too high right now.

"I think I have definitely proven myself to be one of the highest compensated receivers in the league," Cruz said. "That's kind of the way that I feel and my team feels, not only on the field, but as well as what I bring to the Giants as a brand and as an activist and person in the community. I think all of that taken into account, I'm definitely not asking for much as far as what's on the table."

The salsa-dancing star is coming off of a season where he caught 86 balls for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns one year after setting a single-season record for the Giants in 2011 with 1,536 yards.

"I think I'm up there, at least top 10 [receivers in the league]," Cruz said while promoting a Pepsi Super Bowl contest. "I feel like the work that I've put in and the statistics I've put up rank me as one of the top receivers in the league."

The Giants could tender Cruz, meaning that any team that wishes to sign the 26-year-old receiver would have to forfeit compensation to the Giants.